WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Missouri man who court records describe as a priest is free on bail after denying charges he sexually assaulted a woman in South Royalton.

Paul J. Cool, 49, of Amity, Mo., is free on $25,000 bail after pleading innocent to three felony counts of lewd and lascivious conduct Dec. 3 in White River Junction District Court.

The charges allege Cool repeatedly sexually assaulted a woman between 2006 and 2007, when she was between 18 years old and 19 years old. According to affidavits filed with the court, in January, the woman, who was living in Missouri, contacted local police to complain Cool had assaulted her in Vermont years earlier and was starting to do so again.

Affidavits state the woman told police Cool claims to be a priest in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which since 2001 has been known as the Community of Christ. However, on his application for public defender services, Cool made no connection to the church and claimed to be self-employed.

The woman told police that Cool told her God had spoken to him and told him to prepare her for marriage, records state.

On Nov. 16, Missouri police arrested Cool on a warrant from Vermont. Following his arraignment, Cool was held at Springfield prison until he made bail Friday. He is free on conditions he does not leave the state nor have any contact with his alleged victim or any girls younger than 18.